Michaël Borremans: The Monkey
David Zwirner Gallery, London, UK
6 June – 26 July 2024
One of the most captivating art exhibitions I’ve seen this year in London is The Monkey by Michaël Borremans at David Zwirner Gallery. Surprisingly under-covered by the UK press, this exhibition brought Borremans’ mastery to the forefront, combining 18th-century painting techniques with modern existential themes.
Belgian artist and filmmaker Michaël Borremans, known for his psychologically charged, staged portraits, finds inspiration in the techniques of Old Masters like Diego Velázquez and the eerie symbolism of Francisco Goya. Originally trained in drawing, engraving, and photography, Borremans only began painting at 33, quickly becoming one of the most revered contemporary artists of his generation.
His works start with staged photographs, yet transcend realism to become unsettling psychological imprints. His ambiguous characters, set in sparse, isolated environments, invite viewers into an atmosphere beyond linear time. The carefully painted scenes in The Monkey draw on the French tradition of singerie, depicting monkeys in human roles. Borremans humorously considers the monkey a “self-portrait,” in line with Chardin’s satirical The Monkey Painter (c. 1739/1740).
The exhibition also plays on art history’s archetypes and doubles, making an ironic statement on artistic identity. By dressing figures in costumes like that of a cowboy—a symbol rich with associations—Borremans allows viewers to project meaning, whether of memory, machismo, or nostalgia. His characters, posed in solitude or engaged in mysterious rituals, evoke a disquieting intimacy, appearing trapped in still-life gestures.
“I want to have a sense of flight while working. And I don’t want to think about art while making it. History, anthropology, science, and religion—anything developed by human culture—is the food.” Michaël Borremans
Using muted shadows and earthy tones, Borremans’ brushstrokes give his work a patina of nostalgia, drawing us into scenes that feel both timeless and melancholic. His unique framing technique, painting the edges in contrasting colours, makes the portraits appear three-dimensional, as if these figures were specimens on display.
While viewing The Monkey, I felt a sense of emptiness and alienation in response to its solitary figures, while the group paintings evoked ritualistic, subconscious connections; both strands left a lasting impression on my mind. This exhibition is a haunting meditation on the human experience—Borremans is an artist well worth having on your radar.
Exhibition entrance: Free.
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